Chamber of Commerce names new executive director

Published 8:42 am, Saturday, February 15, 2014

The board of Canyon Chamber of Commerce has named a new executive director, selecting a Canyon native. Roger Remlinger will start his duties Feb. 24.

The Canyon High School graduate has lived in Nogales, Ariz., for the past 12 years, eight of which were spent working at program director for Boys and Girls Club of Santa Cruz County.

“I’m originally from Canyon, was raised there and went to school there. I miss the hometown, I miss my family and this was a great way to give back to the community that gave so much to me growing up. I really look forward to getting back to Texas,” Remlinger said.

His wife, Lizzette works for Literacy Volunteers of Santa Cruz County, with her program being highly honored and recognized. She is fluent in English, French and Spanish. The couple has two sons, Sebastian, 7, and Axel, 5.

“My wife and children will be staying in Arizona until school is out for summer break. Then, they will make the move to Canyon,” Remlinger said.

“Lizzette and I will have been married for 10 years in May, so she’s got a feel for Canyon after years of visiting my family. She’s ready for a change, and she’s looking forward to the move and seeing what Canyon has to offer in the day to day aspects. My boys are really excited. We usually spend three weeks in Canyon during the summer, and they love it here.”

He said that his first priority is meeting with the board members to hear their concerns and goals for the chamber.

“You’re only as strong as your board, so I really want to listen to what they have to say. Most of all I want to reach out to the community because that’s why we’re there. I want to work with Canyon Economic Development Corporation in developing how we can grow and promote Canyon,” Remlinger said.

“Canyon is a great place to live; it’s not just another town in Texas. It’s a special place, and I really want to show people outside of Canyon how special it is.

“I think we can accomplish that by working with the community and other entities. Canyon will always be home to me, so I’m really looking forward to this opportunity.”

Claudia Burkett, chamber executive board president, said that board members liked that Remlinger was from Canyon.

“He brings that hometown spirit, and that’s what we need in the chamber to bring commerce to Canyon. He’s very enthusiastic to help the town he grew up in,” Burkett said. “One of the things that stood out during his interview was his ability to work with community leaders. To me, he has that ability to bring people together to collaborate. Another thing that impressed me was that he wanted to come back to raise his kids here. That says a lot about Canyon.”

She also voiced her appreciation for chamber office manager, Jenny Morgan, during the interim period without an executive director.

“Jenny has been a superstar. Without her that chamber would have been a lot harder on the board. She just stepped in as if we didn’t lose an executive director. The whole board thanks her for all she has done,” Burkett said.

The executive direction position became open in November when Annette Olson resigned to accept a job in Arizona closer to her family. Olson was with the chamber less than a year, as she was hired in January 2013 following the resignation of Cheryl Malcolm in November 2012. Malcolm served as executive director of the chamber for eight years.